Tray mechanism for beauty operators



Oct. 4, 1960 A. G. FELLER 2,954,955

TRAY MECHANISM FOR BEAUTY OPERATORS Filed Oct. 27, 1958 Q5, CZLZYM United States Patent C 4 v 2,954,955 TRAY ME'CHANISM FOR BEAUTY OPERATORS Arthur G. Feller, '722 Taylor St., Fort Wayne, Ind. l Filed Oct. 27, 1958, Ser. No. 769,634

8 Claims. (Cl. 248-226) The present invention relates to a tray mechanism for beauty operators, and more particularly to a mechanism, attachable to a chair, having an elevated tray or tray support which is rotatable itself as well as swingable about the chair for convenient access by a beauty operator.

In beauty parlors devoted to the care, treatment and styling of ladies hair, it is customary for the beautician or operator to stand while Working, lche customer being seated'in a fixed or swivel chair. Of the various types of services rendered by the beautician,` hair waving and styling comprise a substantial portion of the Work, hair waving of the so-called permanent type usually requiring a relatively long period of time, such as hours, to complete. lMuch equipment and many manual operations are involved in the rendering of a permanent wave, such equipment comprising, e.g., curlers and clips, dishes for solution, many pieces of cotton, curling papers, combs, hair pins, and the like. The operations comprise combing, trimming, styling, curling, and other sundry steps, the aforementioned equipment being used in such operations. l

While innumerable `-waves are involved in the making of a complete permanent wave of a head of hair, the following resume of the steps involved in making a single Wave serves to demonstrate the complexity of the procedure, as well as the relatively great length of time involved. The customer sitting in the chair is normally required to hold a stack of small papers which the operator-uses in forming a curl.` The chair is usually situated immediately adjacent Vto a counter on which all of the equipment and'supplies are laid, as aforementioned. The operator,l in forming a single curl, first combs a small segment of hairinto a llatlength approximately one to two inches wide, `holding the hair and wetting the same with a piece of cotton taken from the counter,- this cottonhaving been dipped lin a permanent wave solution contained in a dish on the counter. Holding the stack of papers, the customer hands one of the papers to the operator, who folds it overthe end portion of the tip of the combed length of hair and rolls the hair onto a conventional curler taken from `the counter. This general procedure is repeated many times until all of the hair is so treated and wrapped Vonto respective curlers. This permanent waving procedure, which consumes a considerable period of time, requires that the customer assist the operator, the customer handing the papers and other equipment to the operator as he or she may request. Needless to say, this is somewhat burdensome to the customer and in many instances quite irritating, since it tends to exaggerate in the customers mind the length of time actually required for completing the operation. Also, the operator is slowed if the customer is not adept in the cooperation required.

The present invention provides a mechanism whereby the equipment `needed in making the permanent wave is always-at the fingertips of the operator, the customer being free `of .anyr requirement to assist the operator. The customer can then' pass the time by reading a magazine por., the like or watch the operator in his or her work.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a mechanism which contains and renders conveniently accessible to the operator all of the necessary equipment and supplies formakinga permanent wave or performing some other desired treatment of the hair.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a mechanism for positioning a tray in the immediate vicinity of a customers hair, which tray may be manipulated about the customers chair to suit the convenience of the operator.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a tray-supporting mechanism for a beauty operator which may be removably attached to a chair in which the customer sits while having the hair-treating procedures performed. r

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that specific change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective illustration showing one operative embodiment of this invention as being attached to a conventional swivel chair, such chair being shown in phantom with different operating positions or" the mechanism also being shown in phantom;

Fig. 2 is a to-p plan view of the mechanism itself, the phantom illustration showing several different operating positions of the mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional illustration taken substantially along the section line 3---3` of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the tray support, this View Vbeing partly in section taken along the section line 4 4 of Fig. 2; and v.

Fig. 5 is a lfragmental sectional illustration taken substantially along the section line 5 5 of Fig. 3. v

Referring to the drawings, the tray mechanismof this invention is shown as being clamped onto the seat portion of an ordinary swivel chair 10, as shown in Fig. 1. This tray mechanism comprises a hollow rod 12, shown as being of substantially square cross-section (Fig. 5 having 4a plug 14 secured in the left-hand end thereof. This plug has a threaded aperture 16 which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the rod 12 for a purpose which will be explained hereinafter. Y

Telescopically received on the left-hand end of the rod 12 is a rod extensionlS which is also of square crosssection to prevent any relative rotation between the extension 18`and rod 12.

The rod 12 and extension Vv18 together provide an extensible rod having opposite ends, these opposite ends having aliixed thereto two clamping plates 29* and 22, respectively. Both of these plates have inturned lugs 24 which may dig into the side of the chair seat, as shown in Fig. 1. These clamping plates in combination with the respective lugs secure the extensible rod 12, 18 in position on the chair 10.

An elongated clamping bolt 26 passes through the clamping plate l20 to be received by the threaded aperture 16 of the plug 14. This bolt is provided with a head 28 which bears against the clamping plate 20 so that as the bolt 26 is turned into the threaded aperture 16, the plate 20 and its extension 18 will be forced farther onto the rod 12. As will now be apparent, the bolt 26 provides` the means by which the tWo clamps 20 and 22 may be securely mounted onto the chair, as shown in Fig. 1.

Slidably received on the rod 12 is a sleeve 30, the opening in the sleeve conforming to the shape and size of the rod 12 so as to prevent any relative rotation between the sleeve and rod. The sleeves free to slide on the rod 12; however, in order to hold the sleeve against such sliding motion, Va set-screw 32 'isprovided -Oneeytheis'leeve is adjusted to its desired position, the `set screw 32 is turned inwardly until it forcefully engages the v=rod i2.

The sleeve 30 is'provided on its underside with a forwardly extendingflange '34, this flange onitsunderside merging into a substantially flat surface 36 on the sleeve 30. A vpivot member 38 provided with va at surface 40 on its upper side is pivotally mounted on the sleeve 3&3 by means 'of apivot pin 42, vthe vtwo surfaces'36 and 40 being contiguous. The Vshank 44 ofthe pin lis rotatably recei'v'ed infa companion aperture in the ,pivot member 33 while the threaded end 46 is screwed into'athreaded opening 48 in the sleeve boss 50. 'The flat surfaces 36 and `40 are thereby held against each other, thepivot pin 42 being adjusted so as to permit frictional pivoting action of thesertwo surfaces with respect to eachother.

By providing two, extendedat surfaces 3'6 and 4don the ,sleeve and pivot memben'respectively, the pivot member 38 is held against any vrelative rotational or'pivotal movement about the sleeve 3i).

Extending forwardly of the pivot member 3S is a mounting stub 52 upon which is telescoped an elongated, tubular arm 54 which `is secured to thefs'tubSZby means of suitable pins or rivets 56. Other means of securing the arm 54 to the stub 52 maybe used without departing from the spirit and scope of this invent-ion, such means including welding, bolting and riveting. The outer end of the arm 54 is upturned at 58 (see Fig. l) to provide a socket into which the reduced diameter end "60 of yan elongated strut y62 -is inserted'and held. This strut 62, as shown in Fig. 4, may be of tubular'construction, the upper end of the strut providing a socket 64 adapted to ireceive a short, stub shaft I66. This socket 64-serves as a bearing in which the stub shaft `66 may freely rotate. ,The lower end 69 vof the kstrut 62 preferably is adapted to removably inserted in its companion `socket in the upper end of the arm 54. Shorter or longer lengths of struts 62 may thereby be interchangeably used inthe combination as desired.

On the upper end of the stub shaft 66 are secured, by

welding or the like, twocrossed braces `6 3 set at` right angles to each other and preferably fabricated of dat steel strips. The ends of these two braces 68 and iti are upturned at 72, thereby providing ya retainer into which a tray or pan, such asA the one 74 shown in Figs. l and 2 in phantom, may be inserted. A third arm or brace 76 may also be secured to the upper end of the stub shaft f 66 to extend outwardly at an angle in between the other two braces 63 and 74), this brace 76 serving to'stabilize the corner of a pan or tray which is set in place.

These braces 6%, 70, 76 are 'positioned to lie in a substantially horizontal plane when ythe strut 62is vertically upright. Also, the at surfaces 36, '40 .arepositioned in a horizontal plane when the mechanism is` properly mounted on a chair, as shown in'Fig. l. Y

In use, the traymechanism isimounted on the underside of the swivel-chair` seat, as shown in Fig. 1,'by iirst loosening theyboltv26 inthe extensible rod to a point at which the two plates 20 and 2v2 overlie the sides ofthe Ichair seat. The bolt 26 is tightened until the twol clamps 20 and 22 as well as the inturned lugs 24 are forcefully Lengaged with the Vseat sides to hold "the extensible rod 12, 1S in place. Following this, V'the sleeve'30 is adjusted Ion the rod 12 to a position which will ,permit the upturned end S8 on'rthe laterally extending arm J54.- to clear the sides and back of the chair `in one .continuous Vswinging motion, the set screw 32 being .tightened when this adjustment is achieved. i i' With the tray 74 as shown lin the dashed lne'sin Figs.

.1 and 2 positioned in `thetray 'retainereo'rnposedof the crossed braces 68, 70 and 76, the tray itself maybe swung around the chairto any position convenient to the operator. Also, since the tray retainer is capableof rotating with respect to the upright strut 62, the tray itself may be rotated to any convenient position. Differentpositions of the tray rotated on the strut 62 are shown in both Figs. l and 2, as are different-positions ofthe arm 54 with with respect to the chairahd extensible rod 12, 18. These alternative positions are` shown "in phantom. 4

With the tray positioned as shown in Fig. l, all of the equipment and materials'rreeded 'to 'make Aa permanent wave, for example, rriayfbe '-pl'aced 1in the .tray which is at the ngertipsvofthe operator andy close to the customers hair. As theoperatormoves 'around the customers headl to work on different portions of the hair, the tray may be conveniently positioned always to |be at the fingertips of the operator, thereby reducing stretching and straining onthe operators YVpart to a minimum aswell'as relieving the customeruof the necessity of holding any of the equipment used-during the procedure, such equip ment, for example, beingfthepapers used-in' makingthe permanent wave.

What is claimedlis': y

1.In combination, a hollow elongated supporting rod of'square cross-section, a 'hollowrodextension telescoping over one end portion of said supporting rod, aplug' fixed in said one endzportio'n and having athreadedaperture therethrough Vextending in a direction ysubstantially Jparallel'to the longitudinal extent of'saidrod, two end plates,r on the opposite ends of :said 'rod and extension'respectively, a clam-ping bolt rotatably received through theend plate on said extension and extending-through the latter to bereceived by said threaded aperture, said bolt'having a head bearing against the outer surface 'of'saidextension endV plate, both Asaid end plates4 having inwardly; projecting lugs thereon, a sleeve having a square opening therethrough slidably received on said lrod, :the lsize o'f-said square opening conforming to that of said rod for holding said sleeve against rotation on -said trod, a'set screwin said sleeve kengageable with said rod for securing said sleeve in position on said'rod, "a-fiat `surfaceon the undersideyof'said sleeve, a pivot having a'flat surface, :the flat surfaces of'saidpivot member'and said sleeve engaging each other, a pivot pin extending in a direction `norrnalto theplane ofsaid surfaces pivotallyconnecting said sleeve to said pivot member, an elongated :arm secured at ione end to said pivot-member and being uptur'ned -a`tj the other f end, said other-end.havinga-frstisocketftherein, an-eion-k gated struthaving opposite ends, one strut end beingremovably fitted into said `first socket vandfhaving'aseconcl socket inits other end, astub shaft rotatably received'fby said secondsocket, "and two f transverse braces secured fat the crossing thereof vtosaid stub fsha-ftgsaid braceslyin'gLin 2. In combinatiomahollow a plane normaltolthelength-dimension ofsaid strut and having outer ends whichfare upturnedthereby providing -a tray retainer -which maybe rotated ywith respect to said strut. 1 f

elongated l supporting frod of square cross-section, -a hollow rod-'extensiontelscoping over one endfp'ofrtion of said supporting rod, a 'plugiixed in said one fend'portion landhavinga threaded aperture 'therethrough extending 'in a' direction `substaritially vparallelto the longitudinal extent of said fr'odftwo e'ndfplates on the opposite 'ends ofr said rod and extension fre'spectively, a `clamping bolt rotatably received Ithrouglfithe tend plate Von said extension andj'extending through the latter to be received by said'threaded aperture, said boltmaving -a head bearing Aagainst the outerl'surfaceof saidextens'ion end' 'platefboth 's'a'id endplates having inwardly 'projecting' lugs thereon, a :sleevehaving a square opening*there-` through sli'dably received on vsaid l rod, f ther'siz'e fof said squa'reiopening conforming to "that `ofsaid rod fordholding the'undersi'de ofV said sleeve; a pivot 'having afilat surface,

engaging each other, a pivot pin extending in a direction normal to the plane of said surfaces pivotally connecting said sleeve to said pivot member, an elongated arm secured at one end to said pivot member and being upturned at the other end, said other end having a first socket therein, an elongated strut having opposite ends, one strut end being removably fitted into said first socket an-d having a second socket in its other end, a stub shaft rotatably received by said second socket, and two transverse braces secured at the crossing thereof to said stub shaft, said braces lying in a plane normal to the length dimension of said strut and having outer ends which are upturned thereby providing a tray retainer which may be rotated with respect to said Strut.

3. In combination, a hollow elongated supporting rod of square cross-section, a hollow rod extension telescoping over one end portion of said supporting rod, two end plates on the opposite ends of said rod and extension respectively, both s-aid end plates having inwardly projecting [lugs thereon, a sleeve having a square opening therethrough slidably received on said rod, the size of said square opening conforming to that of said rod for holding said sleeve against rotation on said rod, a at surface on the underside of said sleeve, a pivot having a flat surface, the flat surfaces of said pivot member and said sleeve engaging each other, a pivot pin extending in a direction normal to the plane of said surfaces pivotally connecting said sleeve to said pivot member, an elongated arm secured at one end to said pivot member and being upturned at the other end, said other end having a first socket therein, an elongated strut having opposite ends, one 'strut end being removably fitted into said first socket and having a second socketin its other end, a stub shaft rotatably received by said second socket, and two transverse braces secured at the crossing thereof to said stub shaft, said braces lying in a plane normal to the length dimension of said strut `and having outer ends which are upturned thereby providing a tr-ay retainer which may be rotated with respect to said strut.

4. In combination, a hollow elongated supporting rod, a hollow rod extension telescoping over one end portion of said supporting rod, two end plates on the opposite ends of said rod and extension respectively, both said end plates having inwardly projecting lugs thereon, a sleeve slidably received on said rod, means holding said sleeve in position on said rod, a at surface on the underside of said sleeve, a pivot having a flat surface, the flat surfaces of said pivot member and said sleeve engaging each other, a pivot pin extending in -a direction normal to the plane of said surfaces pivotally connecting said sleeve to said pivot member, an elongated arm secured at one end to said pivot member and being upturned at the other end, said other end having a first socket therein, an elongated strut having opposite ends, one strut end being removably fitted into said rst socket tand having a second socket in its other end, a stub shaft rotatably received by said second socket, and two transverse braces secured at the crossing thereof to said stub shaft, said braces lying in -a plane normal to the length dimension of said strut and having outer ends which are upturned thereby providing a tray retainer which may be rotated with respect to said strut.

5. In combination, an elongated supporting rod, a sleeve slidably received on said rod, means holding said sleeve in position on said rod, a flat surface on the underside of said sleeve, a pivot member having a flat surface, the flat surfaces of said pivot member and said sleeve engaging each other, a pivot pin extending in a direction normal to the plane of said surfaces pivotally connecting said sleeve to said pivot member, an elongated arm secured at one end to said pivot member and being upturned at the other end, said other end having a first socket therein, an elongated strut having opposite ends, one strut end being removably fitted into said rst socket and having a second socket in its other end, a stub shaft rotatably received by said second socket, and two transverse braces secured at the crossing thereof to said stub shaft, said braces lying in `a plane normal to the length dimension of said strut and having outer ends which are upturned thereby providing a tray retainer which maybe rotated with respect to said strut.

6. In combination, a hollow elongated supporting rod, a hollow rod extension telescoping over one end portion of said supporting rod, 4a plug fixed in said one end portion and having a threaded aperture therethrough extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of said rod, two end plates on t-he opposite ends of said rod and extension respectively, a clamping bolt rotatably received through the end plate on said extension and extending through the latter to be received by said -threaded aperture, said bolt having `a head bearing against the outer surface of said extension end plate, both said end plates having inwardly projecting lugs thereon, a sleeve slidably received on said rod, a flat surface on the underside of said sleeve, a pivot member having a flat surface, the flat surfaces of said pivot member and said sleeve engaging each other, a pivot pin extending in a direction normal to the plane of said surfaces pivotally connecting said sleeve to said pivot member, `an elongated arm secured at one end to said pivot member and being upturned at the other end, said other end having a first socket therein, an elongated strut having opposite ends, one strut end being removably fitted into said iirst socket and having a second socket in its other end, a stub shaft rotatably received by said second socket, and two transverse lbraces secured at the crossing thereof to said stub shaft, said braces lying in a plane normal .to the length dimension of said strut and having outer ends which are upturned thereby providing a tray retainer which may be rotated with respect to said strut, means holding said sleeve in position on said rod, an elongated arm transversely extending from said rod and having a pivotal connection with said sleeve, means holding said arm against rotation about said rod, said arm being upturned at its outer end, and a tray retainer mounted for rotation on the upper end of said arm.

7. In combination, an upright support, a tray support, means rotatably connecting said tray support to the upper end of said upright support, an extensible horizontally disposed rod having opposite ends, two clamping plates on said opposite ends respectively, said plates lying in planes which are substantially parallel and transverse to the longitudinal extent of said rod, means included in said rod for forcing said plates toward each other, an arm pivotally connected to said rod for swinging movement in a plane parallel to said rod, means holding said arm against swinging movement about said rod, the lower end of said upright support being connected to the outer extremity of said arm, and means for adjustably moving said outer extremity horizontally with respect to said rod.

8. In combination, an elongated supporting rod, an elongated horizontally extending arm having inner and outer ends, a pivot member adjustably mounted on and movable along the length of said rod, said pivot member being pivotally connected to said inner end to provide for swinging movement of said arm with respect to said rod, an elongated upright strut having opposite ends, one strut end being detachably secured to the outer end of said arm, and a horizontally disposed tray support, said tray support being rotatably connected to the other end of said strut for swinging movement about a vertical axis.

References Cited inthe file of this patent `UNITED STATES PATENTS 535,277 Dornan Mar. 5, 1895 550,443 Deal Nov. 26, 1895 2,883,502 Wildeboor May 6, 1958 

